If citizens want their voices to be heard, they must actively participate in the political process. While elections, campaigns and votes are at the heart of democratic institutions, citizens must be aware that there is a wide range of participatory options available to them beyond electoral politics. These opportunities include attending political meetings, making contact with public servants, joining interest groups and political parties, and participating in demonstrations. For 10 days, Convention members discussed Virginia`s far-reaching and surprising resolutions for many delegates. The crucial question raised by Governor Morris on the 30th. The distinction between a federation and a national government was that „the former is a mere pact based on the good faith of the parties; The latter has a complete and compulsive operation. Morris favored the latter, a „supreme power” capable of exercising the necessary authority, not just a shadow government, fragmented and hopelessly ineffective. With Henry`s absence, with such notable figures as Jefferson and Adams abroad in missions abroad, and with John Jay in New York at the State Department, the Convention was without some of the country`s most important political leaders. Nevertheless, it was an impressive assembly. Although political conflicts have sometimes escalated into violence, such as labor disputes, race riots, and conscription riots, citizens need to understand that political conflict in the United States has generally been less confrontational and violent than in many other countries. This is partly because, with the great exception of the Civil War, political conflicts in America have generally taken place within a constitutional framework that allows for protest politics and promotes the peaceful settlement of disputes. Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was a strong supporter of women`s political, educational, and matrimonial rights, and a wise and astute political advisor to her husband, John Adams, a revolutionary leader and second president of the United States.
She was a mother of six and managed the family farm and investments while being her husband`s main support and advisor. There were others who played an important role – Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut; Edmund Randolph of Virginia; William Paterson of New Jersey; John Rutledge of South Carolina; Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts; Roger Sherman of Connecticut; Luther Martin of Maryland; and the Pinckneys, Charles and Charles Cotesworths of South Carolina. Franklin was the oldest member and Jonathan Dayton, the 27-year-old New Jersey delegate, was the youngest. The median age was 42 years. Most delegates had studied law, served in colonial or state legislatures, or served in Congress. The delegates, who were familiar with the philosophical theories of government advocated by philosophers such as James Harrington, John Locke, and Montesquieu, benefited from the experience of state policy and formed an extraordinary body that left a remarkably erudite account of the debate. Fortunately, thanks to the tireless James Madison, we have a relatively complete record of the procedure. Day after day, the Virginian sat in front of the president, compiling notes of debates and never missing a single major day or speech.
He later noticed that his self-imprisonment in the hall, which was often oppressive in the summer in Philadelphia, had nearly killed him.